Creamy Beef Mince and Spinach Pasta
Ground beef and fresh spinach cook down in a creamy sauce that coats the pasta in every bite. This straightforward weeknight dish comes together in around 30 minutes using one pan for the sauce and one pot for the pasta. It's filling, family-friendly, and easy to pull off on a busy evening.
Equipment
- Large saucepan
- Wooden spoon
- Colander
- Chefs Knife
- Cutting board
Ingredients
- 8 oz penne pasta or any short pasta
- 1 lb ground beef preferably grass-fed
- 1 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups fresh spinach washed and roughly chopped
- ½ cup parmesan cheese freshly grated
- 1 tsp salt to taste
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In the same pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add the minced garlic and sauté for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the ground beef to the pot. Cook and break up with a wooden spoon until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
- Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Season with salt and black pepper. Stir in the spinach and let it wilt in the sauce for about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the cooked pasta back into the pot. Toss everything together until the pasta is well coated with the creamy sauce. Remove from heat and fold in freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half.
- Add a pinch of nutmeg to the sauce for a subtle warming spice.
- To make it gluten-free, use your preferred gluten-free pasta.
Nutrition
Calories: 799kcalCarbohydrates: 48gProtein: 34gFat: 52gSaturated Fat: 25gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 19gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 156mgSodium: 891mgPotassium: 637mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 2381IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 246mgIron: 4mg
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